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Proper Adjustment on Rear Brakes?

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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 07:29 PM
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Proper Adjustment on Rear Brakes?

About got all my brake problems fixed on my 91 but I've noticed that the rear brakes are getting just a little to warm for my taste. They are not roasting hot but when I get done driving it(around here for about 10-20 minutes and park the drums are to hot to lay a hand on and keep it on. They wasn't very tight so I backed the adjustment off a good bit to where they just barely was scrubbing while rolling the wheel(with rear of truck up on the jack) It just felt like they was BARELY touching the shoe if any at all. Fired the truck up and hit the brakes and they where a good bit more spongy than before I backed the shoes off. So just how tight do they need to be when I spin the tire(I usually just listen to hear the drum rub the shoe and make sure it rolls somewhat freely but not to much. Would it also help a lot to re-bleed the wheel cylinders again once I get the adjustment right to get my pedel pressure back?
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 10:59 PM
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From: Pen Argyl Pennsylvania
When ever I do rear brakes on anything I make them so that when I slide the drum back on there snug not tight (just a little rub shoe to drum). After I put the wheel back on I make sure that they don't bind when turning, I have never had to move the ajusting mechinism once together. As far a bleeding fluid doesn't cost that much and it always good to be 100% positive ALL the air is out. Ryan
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 11:21 PM
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You can change out the rear brake lines to the teflon high perf ones. That would help with the spongyness...
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Old Apr 4, 2007 | 11:56 PM
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Spongy means air in the system.

Adjust the shoes till they are just beginning to touch the drum when turning it by hand. (you can hear a slight rubbing) Then step on the brake pedal a couple of times to center the shoes and try turning the drum again. If it's not touching adjust it a bit till it is just touching then step on the pedal again, etc. Finallly you will have the slightest contact but very little friction. Leave them there. That is the right setting for a good high pedal and minimal drag. They will not get hot from just rolling. But driving and braking really produce a lot of heat so don't be surprised if the drums feel fairly hot to the touch.

Wetspirit
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Old Apr 5, 2007 | 03:56 PM
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Arrow Hot Don't Hurt

So long as they ain't smoking, or stinking, they aren't too tight.

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